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why does my goldfish have a fat belly

by Dale Torp Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Overfeeding - Sometimes a fish may become fat or swollen as a result of his diet. Often, overfeeding or the wrong types of food can cause constipation and other digestive issues. You can try to feed your fish less or healthier types of food, which varies depending on the species of fish.

Full Answer

What does it mean when a goldfish has a swollen belly?

+ Show 1 more... Dropsy disease results when the kidneys fail to work properly causing fluid retention and swelling of the goldfish's belly. In late stages of dropsy disease, the scales of the goldfish will protrude outwards. When you observe these symptoms in a sick goldfish, its chances of survival are low.

Why is my Goldfish getting fat?

Apart from overfeeding, pregnancy, and illness, environment is a major factor in goldfish size. Water quality and tank size are directly linked to the overall health and longevity of your aquatic pets. If the parameters are ‘off’ or the tank is too small/overcrowded, goldfish can start to appear fat or bloated.

Why is my female goldfish bloated before laying eggs?

Before laying eggs, a female goldfish may become bloated as her body fills with ova. If you want to control the spawning of your goldfish, keep male and female fish separately. Female goldfish can be artificially induced to release their eggs if spontaneous spawning is not going to be allowed in your aquarium or pond.

Why is my fish's belly so big?

If that belly is that size because of excess fluid, things may not turn out very well. Fluid retention can be related to failing kidneys, and there isn't anything you can really do about it. Plenty of very large water changes might be the only thing you could do, and hope, of course. It may be a wait and see sort of thing with this fish.

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Why does my goldfish have such a big belly?

Dropsy (sometimes called bloat) is not a disease but a condition caused by an underlying health issue like an infection, parasites, or liver dysfunction. It involves the accumulation of fluid in a fish's body, giving it a swollen or bloated appearance.

How do you fix a bloated goldfish?

1:356:44Treating Constipation Swim Bladder Bloat & Internal Bacteria ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt needs a fibrous food. And you can include this in their diet on growing as well just stop it fromMoreIt needs a fibrous food. And you can include this in their diet on growing as well just stop it from happening again. Another option is to add some salts to the aquarium.

Why do goldfish become fat?

They eat when they have access to food because their next meal may not be for quite some time. Fish will store fat deposits to prepare for long periods of fasting.

How long can a goldfish live with dropsy?

As often as not, the fish will live or die irrespective of drug treatment. Most often a fish with dropsy dies. Perhaps not immediately, but within several months. Indeed, in instances where dropsy is caused by internal infections, the bloating will disappear for a time, only to return a bit later with a vengeance.

Is dropsy contagious to other fish?

First, dropsy is not contagious. However, if one fish does become affected, other fish in the same fish aquarium — particularly those of the same species — could also be at risk. In such cases, the fish become affected one by one, until there's no more of that species left (or the causative issue gets resolved).

Why does my goldfish look pregnant?

A female goldfish looks pregnant when she's ready to release her eggs. In nature, mature female goldfish start to develop eggs in late winter and early spring. As the eggs swell, the females' bellies become fatter.

How do you treat dropsy?

0:593:18Aquarium Fish Disaster | What is Dropsy Disease and How To Cure ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf no improvement is seen after several days of treatment treat the aquarium water with marcin toMoreIf no improvement is seen after several days of treatment treat the aquarium water with marcin to this medication is effective against bacterial infections. And is absorbed through the skin of fish.

Is it healthy for goldfish to be fat?

Dropsy is an extremely serious and often fatal condition affecting goldfish. If you notice your goldfish looking fat, swollen or “about to explode” then the problem is probably dropsy.

How often should you feed goldfish?

2-3 times dailyFeed 2-3 times daily. It is important to avoid overfeeding goldfish as this can cause indigestion and/or contaminate the tank. In terms of the amount to feed, a good rule of thumb is to only feed an amount that the goldfish can consume in under two minutes or only feed as much as the size of the goldfish's eye.

Can dropsy cure itself?

Dropsy is not easily cured. Treatment is geared toward correcting the underlying problem and providing supportive care to the sick fish. A broad spectrum antibiotic specifically formulated for gram-negative bacteria is recommended, like Mardel Maracyn® 2. Always follow directions for duration and dosage.

How do fish get dropsy?

Causes. The symptoms collectively known as “dropsy” may be caused by a multitude of reasons. Poor water quality, viral infections, sudden changes in water conditions and a prolonged period of stress that may compromise the fish's immune system may all trigger said symptoms.

Does swim bladder go away?

Depending on the cause, swim bladder disorders may be temporary or permanent. If your fish has a permanent swim bladder disorder, they can still live a full and happy life with some lifestyle modifications.

How do you get rid of dropsy?

0:593:18Aquarium Fish Disaster | What is Dropsy Disease and How To Cure ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf no improvement is seen after several days of treatment treat the aquarium water with marcin toMoreIf no improvement is seen after several days of treatment treat the aquarium water with marcin to this medication is effective against bacterial infections. And is absorbed through the skin of fish.

Can peas cure swim bladder?

Feed the fish peas: On the fourth day, feed the fish a cooked and skinned pea. Frozen peas are ideal for this, as they can be microwaved or boiled for a few seconds to thaw them, resulting in the proper consistency (not too soft but not too firm). 1 Remove the skin, and then serve the pea to the fish.

How do you cure swim bladder?

There's no treatment as such, and if the fish can recover, they will do so given a few hours. Switching the tank lights off for a while often helps, partly by removing one source of stress, but also by encouraging the fish to rest quietly rather than try to swim about.

How do You Fix Goldfish Bloat?

If it’s a dietary issue, then feeding your fish only once a day with fresh, high-quality food should do the trick. If dropsy is the cause, then neutralizing the ammonia levels and raising the temperature of the water slightly should help.

What is Dropsy and How does It Affect Goldfish Size?

Dropsy is another term for edema and refers to the buildup of fluid inside the kidneys of a fish brought about by a bacterial infection. The root cause is an unsuitable aquatic environment – one that’s too cold and/or too toxic. Dropsy can result in fish swelling or lead to a compromised immune system.

Is Bloat in Goldfish Contagious?

Bloat in fish isn’t contagious. In most cases, it’s the result of overfeeding. However, if poor or toxic water conditions are the culprit, then all fish that share the same unsuitable aquatic environment can become bloated as a result.

Can Goldfish Explode?

Goldfish can become so bloated that they look like they’re about to pop! They can’t – it’s nothing more a more than a myth that overeating, too hot water, or edema can cause your fish to explode. Unlike air, water isn’t compressible and typically the root of the problem is a buildup of fluid inside the body cavity.

Why is my goldfish bloated?

Goldfish bloated may be suffering from organ failure. Goldfish bloated is a symptom caused by kidney failure. Organ failure is common in the industry due to the overuse of salt and chemicals in the industry. The breeders use these products to reduce the risk of bad bacteria and parasite infection.

Why do goldfish breeders use the same products?

The breeders use these products to reduce the risk of bad bacteria and parasite infection. The goldfish keeper uses the same products for the very same reasons. In most cases it’s unnecessary. A healthy ecosystem depends on water that is rich in mineral value and heavily oxygenated. Goldfish bloated.

How to treat poisoned goldfish?

Goldfish that have been poisoned need healthy water that is rich in mineral value topped with a remedy for cleansing the blood. Combine excellent water with natural remedies, and a sick fish has a fighting change. Organ failure often leads to infection due to the weakened immune system. Natural antibiotics should be used as a preventative

Is goldfish poisonous?

Goldfish swollen. Poison is abused in the goldfish industry. Made up of dangerous chemicals, even the water treatment we use can injure our fish. Water treatment is a necessary evil. Many of us must use it to convert chlorine and chloramines.

Is goldfish water good for organ failure?

Goldfish or Koi water has excellent value before starting treatment. The water is free of salts and medications. Instead of using medication made up of chemical, opt for natural treatments. The last thing a fish suffering from organ failure needs is more chemicals in the bloodstream. These product push fish over the edge

Why are my goldfish bloated?

Sadly, a bloated goldfish may be suffering from a serious physical illness, infection or even a tumor. If the internal organs of a goldfish are infected or malfunctioning, this can lead to bloating. A condition known as dropsy causes goldfish to become bloated -- additionally their scales will become raised and their body coloration may lessen. Dropsy occurs as a result of malnutrition or infection -- commercial medications are available to treat dropsy. Additionally, you can improve the chances of survival for your goldfish by changing one quarter of the aquarium water every other day.

Why can goldfish swim?

goldfish image by Ahmed Zahir from Fotolia.com. Goldfish are able to swim because they have sleek, symmetrical bodies. A bloated fish may have trouble swimming, and may be suffering from illness or infection.

Can goldfish spawn in a pond?

If you want to control the spawning of your goldfish, keep male and female fish separately. Female goldfish can be artificially induced to release their eggs if spontaneous spawning is not going to be allowed in your aquarium or pond.

Can goldfish become obese?

Obesity. Like humans, goldfish can become obese if the number of calories they take in regularly exceeds the number of calories they burn through exercise and basic metabolic function. It is unusual for goldfish to significantly overeat, so you should avoid overfeeding your fish as a safeguard against obesity.

Do goldfish lay eggs?

Breeding. If the water temperature is correct for breeding, and male fish are present, female goldfish will lay eggs as part of the breeding process. Before laying egg s, a female goldfish may become bloated as her body fills with ova. If you want to control the spawning of your goldfish, keep male and female fish separately.

Can goldfish be constipated?

In particular, fancy types of goldfish commonly have problems with constipation, due to the unusual shapes of their bodies. A constipated goldfish will become bloated, be unable to defecate and may have problems swimming normally. If your fish is constipated, you can help by feeding cooked peas with the skin removed.

What is the best food for goldfish?

The best food for Goldfish is Repashy Super Gold or Silent Green (near enough to the same thing) gel food. Introduce them to it slowly, and don’t be put off if they seem dis-interested at first. After eating the “other” food, this will be quite a difference for them.

Why throw everything at a fish?

You need to throw everything at this fish to boost its immune system and hopefully get a good outcome but be prepared for the worst.

What is the cause of a goldfish's belly to swell?

Dropsy disease results when the kidneys fail to work properly causing fluid retention and swelling of the goldfish's belly. In late stages of dropsy disease , the scales of the goldfish will protrude outwards. When you observe these symptoms in a sick goldfish, its chances of survival are low.

Why do goldfish have dropsy?

Dropsy is a symptom of many goldfish diseases. It can be caused by bacterial infections, parasitical infections, toxins, and kidney cysts. There is no way to know the cause of a particular goldfish’s dropsy. Only the first two causes—bacterial infections and parasitical infections—can be treated.

What is a dropsy goldfish?

Dropsy is a build-up of fluids inside the goldfish. Thus, the first signs of dropsy will be general bloating. Look for any unusual increase in size of the goldfish. Treating the goldfish at this early stage presents the best chance of saving the goldfish.

Why should goldfish be separated?

The reason a dropsy-infected goldfish should be separated during recovery is to ensure that it isn’t stressed by other fish and you can tweak its environmental needs to aid healing ; also, some of the treatment conditions needed for the fish with dropsy are not good for the healthy fish to be subjected to. Thanks!

How to prevent dropsy goldfish?

To help prevent future outbreaks of dropsy, perform regular water changes and ensure that the water temperature does not fluctuate more than a few degrees during the day.

How long to wait to return goldfish after droppings?

1. Watch for signs of recovery. If the goldfish has become more active and less bloated, wait three weeks to ensure the change represents real recovery from dropsy. If the positive change continues, it’s time to return the goldfish to its home tank.

How to tell if a goldfish is dropping?

Notice distended scales. This is the classic symptom of dropsy. As fluid build up moves down the goldfish’s body, its scales will start to rise up from its body. When the fluid build-up has progressed through the goldfish’s whole body, it will look like an opened pinecone.

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